Bottom line

The Bowflex
Blaze home gym offers more than 60 exercises and can be upgraded to as much as
410 pounds of Power Rod resistance. It only takes two to three hours to
assemble and is easy to switch between exercises. The Power Rods take some
getting used to and not everybody likes them in the end.

Breaking it down

Performance

Power Rod learning curve.The Bowflex Power Rod
resistance system takes some getting used to, users say. The resistance
provided via rods connected to pulleys which bend then return to their original
position. Resistance is progressive -- the farther you take the range of
motion, the harder it becomes. Not everyone is a fan, with some saying they
much prefer the more traditional weight stack-type resistance. However, others
prefer the Power Rods, saying it's easier on
their joints. Some reviewers warn if you're taller than about 6 feet, 4 inches,
the Bowflex Blaze's cables and seat rail might be a little too short for you.
Overall, though, users say they get a good, full-body workout with the Blaze.

Versatility

More than 60 exercise options.One
of the most popular features of the Bowflex Blaze is its capability of
converting to a rowing machine, which users say offers a great cardio workout
in addition to the Blaze's strength training capabilities. The Blaze's strength
training features are extensive, including nine back exercises, 16 arm
exercises, five for the abdominals, 13 leg exercises, eight for the chest and
14 for the shoulders. The upper resistance level out of the box is 210 pounds,
but it can be upgraded to 310 or 410 pounds. Each 100-pound upgrade costs about
$100. The maximum user weight is 300 pounds.

Ease of use

Uncomplicated
assembly.Although
there are a few owners who struggled, most say that the Bowflex Blaze's
assembly instructions are clear and easy to follow. The general consensus is
that it will take about two to three hours for one person working alone to
finish the job. It will go more quickly if you have help; they also recommend
having both a wrench set and screwdriver on-hand for assembly. Users say it can
be frustrating to disconnect the cables to switch between the pulleys, although
it's not difficult to do. Many owners say they appreciate the pull-out workout
placard that helps guide them in the correct form while exercising.

Durability

Quiet
and smooth.Although
some may not be fans of the Bowflex Blaze's Power Rod technology, others love
having a strength training system that they describe as "quiet and
smooth" without the clanking weights of a weight stack system. At almost 7
feet tall and more than 3 feet wide, the Bowflex Blaze isn't exactly a compact
home gym, but it does partially fold when not in use, which reduces the
footprint somewhat. We found several compliments about the build quality of the
Blaze, although a few reviewers note that it feels like it wobbles a bit when
laid flat for cardio rowing. We also saw a few complaints that Bowflex doesn't
honor its lifetime guarantee on the Power Rods In addition to the Power Rod
warranty, the rest of the Bowflex Blaze is covered by a limited five-year
warranty.

The Bowflex Blaze gets a 4.5-star average rating in more than 120 reviews. Most users say this home gym is a great choice if you are just interested in general fitness and not in being a body builder; those who are more seriously into strength training are less happy.

In nearly 30 reviews, the Bowflex Blaze earns an overall average rating of 4.4 stars out of 5. It gets high praise for its build quality, and it's reported as easy to assemble and use. Ninety-three percent of owners say they would recommend the Blaze to a friend.

Fitness buff and blogger Wes McDermott gives the Bowflex Blaze a thorough reviews, and his bottom line is that it's a great choice for the novice home gym user. Ultimately, he gives it a near-perfect rating, but it's not clear if he personally tested this home gym.

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